Japanese band SMAP splits up, causing a stir in Asia.
Japanese band SMAP will disband at the end of the year, disappointing legions of fans in Japan and Asia just seven months after the members pledged to stay together. SMAP, whose name stands for "Sports Music Assemble People," had avoided splitting up in January, leading to a wave of collective relief that included statements from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "We apologize for the trouble we caused. Please forgive us for such an outcome. We are so sad," said the group's leader, Masahiro Naka.
Reuters - Japanese band SMAP will split up at the end of the year, their agency announced on Sunday, disappointing legions of fans in Japan and Asia just seven months after the members pledged to stay together.
SMAP, whose name stands for "Sports Music Assemble People," had avoided splitting up in January, leading to a wave of collective relief that included pronouncements from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.
The five-man group, which formed in 1988 when its members were still teenagers, will split up on December 31, Johnny & Associates announced in a statement, adding that all members will continue with solo careers.
"We apologize for the problems we caused. Please forgive us for this outcome. We are so sad," said the group's leader, Masahiro Nakai, according to the Kyodo news agency.
The split attracted widespread media coverage on Sunday and led legions of fans to express their sadness at the group's end on Twitter.
(By Thomas Wilson)